The next nine weeks will be among the most crucial in the history of the expansion-era Browns.
The NFL Scouting Combine will run Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis. Teams can begin negotiating with the agents of impending unrestricted free agents from other clubs on March 7. The trading period and free agency will officially open at 4 p.m. March 9. Pro days, visits to team headquarters and private workouts will precede the April 27-29 draft.
The Browns are armed with a projected $108 million in salary-cap space, most in the NFL. They're also in position to yield the most power in the draft with five picks in the top 65: first round (Nos. 1 and 12 overall); second (Nos. 33 and 52); and third (No. 65).
Coming off the worst season in the franchise's existence with a record of 1-15, there's a palpable sense of urgency for coach Hue Jackson and the front office led by head of football operations Sashi Brown and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta.
No one knows exactly how this offseason all unfold _ and there will be more tea leaves to read after teams put out feelers at the combine _ but this is an early forecast.
